Massey Delivers the Most Technically Challenging, Extensive Disaster Exercises in California History

After eight months of intensive planning, the largest disaster drill in California history took place November 9 and 10 in Los Angeles. Working closely with the LAFD, LAPD, and numerous mutual aid fire departments from surrounding areas, MEI staged a large scale training evolution over the course of the weekend. Brookfield Office Properties allowed the use of their downtown Ernst & Young Plaza building for the Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) scenario involving an active shooter, hostage crisis and large arson fire unfolding on an upper floor to train and test the combined resources of all participating first responders.

Elite SWAT personnel working in conjunction with patrol officers effectively neutralized the threat of the gunman who had “shot” more than 25 people prior to their arrival. With SWAT approaching from below and above via roof insertion of airborne teams, the situation was quickly contained, allowing the fire crews to insert their specialized tactical search/rescue team onto the roof where PD provided "force protection." Scores of firefighters ascended from street level to attack and control the raging fire on the 42nd floor where the gunman had disabled the sprinkler system before setting the mock fire. All “victims” were rapidly assessed, triaged and removed to the base of the building for further treatment and transport.

The entire drill was performed in a little more than one hour, followed by a thorough critique session with all attendees. Brookfield provided food and refreshments for the participants. The building staff utilized both the Massey Plan and The Massey App™ to work with the crush of first responders. The unified command post used the Massey Plan and the FRA at their street location to strategize the handling of this complicated training exercise. Both mobile apps performed flawlessly. This was the largest MCI drill involving FD/PD interface ever conducted in a high-rise setting, according to officials on scene, with hundreds of first responders assisting.

This is the future in emergency preparedness, response and recovery…and MEI has built it.